Policy, investment and markets News for August 2009

Policy, investment and markets News Archive

Terra Firma confirms US$350 million acquisition of Everpower

Private equity firm Terra Firma has announced its planned acquisition of US wind energy developer Everpower Wind Holdings.

DoE to invest nearly US$300m in clean vehicles initiatives

The US Department of Energy (DoE) is investing nearly US$300 million in its Clean Cities Grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support clean fuels, vehicles and infrastructure development.

2010 CRC scheme high on agenda at the UK's Energy Event 2009

What effect will the UK’s carbon reduction commitment (CRC) have on UK plc, and can the UK’s 2020 emissions targets be met in light of the economy’s uncertain pace of recovery? These questions are set to be addressed at the UK’s “Energy Event 2009”, taking place on 9-10 September 2009 at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull.

Cyprus windfarm closes financing deals

A Cyprus windfarm has reached a €170 million financial close and construction is already underway.

Europe falls behind North America on clean energy investment

Europe has fallen drastically behind North America on investment levels into the clean energy sector since 2003, the UK Carbon Trust says in its report Investment Trends in European and North American Clean Energy 2003 to 2008 – The Rise and Fall of Clean Energy Investment, carried out by analyst New Energy Finance.

UK invests more in coal than in marine renewables

The UK government has spent 20 times more on subsidising the coal industry than on investment in marine renewable energy, says UK main opposition party, the Conservatives.

Australia passes 20% renewables by 2020 bill

Australia has passed a bill targeting 20% of stationary energy to come from renewables by 2020.

DoE awards over US$119m for energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has allocated over US$119 million in funding from the American Recovery and Investment Act to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in seven states and territories in the USA.

Q-Cells cuts 500 solar jobs to save costs

German solar cell manufacturer Q-Cells says it will cut 500 jobs at its Thalheim solar cell production lines to cut costs following the negative results for the first half of 2009 announced earlier this summer.

ersol gets EU subsidies for solar cell production expansion

ersol Solar Energy AG has received approval of EU Commission subsidies towards investments ersol’s planned expansion of its solar cell production at Arnstadt, Germany.

Paper identifies R&D requirements for expansion of renewable energy

The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) have collaborated to identify research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) requirements that would enable broad expansion of renewable energy.

3TIER expands leadership team

3TIER has expanded its leadership team with the addition of two technology veterans: Tom Hull as chief operating officer and Ed Mahlum as chief development officer.

NST places 120 MW order with Oerlikon Solar for solar PV factory in Russia

Nano Solar Technology (NST), a newly formed Russian high-tech firm, has ordered a 120 MW Micromorph® line for production of thin-film solar modules from Oerlikon Solar. With the envisaged production capacity of one million solar modules annually, this could the largest production equipment order to-date in 2009 for the thin-film photovoltaic (PV) market.

Australia signs new trade agreement with Korea

Australia’s Clean Energy Council (CEC) has signed a clean technology agreement with the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) – a first between the two countries.

DONG Energy targets more wind farms in Norway

DONG Energy is to build and run the Norwegian onshore wind farm Nygårdsfjell 2 in the Narvik municipality in Northern Norway.

Vestas receives order for 111 MW in Australia

Vestas has received an order for 37 units of its V90-3.0 MW wind turbine, for a wind farm project in South Australia.

Petratherm signs deal on Madrid geothermal project

Adelaide-based geothermal company, Petratherm, is working with the Spanish Federal government and the Madrid Regional government to advance an 8MW Madrid Geothermal District Heating (GDH) project.

Sir Richard Branson going green?

Richard Branson says he is going green, and invests in research for renewables such as biofuels.

India plans massive increase in solar energy

India is targeting 20GW of solar power as part of its climate and energy strategy.

REC to build solar plant in Singapore

Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) ASA of Norway is building a solar panel manufacturing complex in Singapore’s Jurong, which will reportedly be one of the largest in the world.

July's top 5 stories

What were the top 5 stories at www.renewableenergyfocus.com during July?

UK regulator wants investment in smart grids

Ofgem has announced £6.5 billion worth of investments to boost customer service and cut carbon from regional electricity networks.

F&S: South Africa set for "flood" of renewables projects

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan talks up the prospects for renewable energy in South Africa

Garrad Hassan set to merge with Germanischer Lloyd Garrad Hassan set to merge with Germanischer Lloyd

The companies will provide consulting, engineering, turbine design, certification, measurement, project management, strategic advice, inspection services and software products for renewable energies.

Centrosolar pulls out of solar cell JV

Negotiations on the continuation of Itarion Solar Lda, the solar photovolatic (PV) cells manufacturing joint venture (JV) launched by Centrosolar Group and Qimonda have halted – Itarion Solar has filed for insolvency.

Banks team up for £1bn of loans for wind power

Three UK-based banks are working with the European Investment Bank (EIB) on a programme to lend up to £1 billion to onshore windfarms over the next 3 years, the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced.

Miliband responds to Vestas critics

UK energy and climate change secretary says he's done all he can for Vestas workers.

Isle of Wight council to block wind turbines

Despite denouncing the closure of Vestas' Isle of Wight blade facility, it has emerged that the conservative-led council has a history of blocking wind farm projects on the island.